Juventus reject Chelsea loan bid for Gonzalo Higuain

Juventus and AC Milan will hold talks over Gonzalo Higuain’s desire to join Chelsea in the Premier League over the next few days.

The Argentina striker has made it clear to AC Milan, where he is currently on loan from Juventus, that he wants to leave for Chelsea.

Both clubs have travelled to Saudi Arabia where they will play each other on Wednesday in the Italian Super Cup.

Chelsea’s struggling forward Alvaro Morata had been suggested as some part of loan swap deal, but the Spain international prefers a return to La Liga at this stage.

After meeting his agent last week, Sevilla are looking elsewhere because the 26-year-old is too costly, but Atletico Madrid and Barcelona continue to be linked.

He won’t go anywhere though until Chelsea bring someone in. Juventus have rejected the Blues’ bid so far to sign Higuain on loan for the rest of the season or for 18 months.

They want Chelsea to accept AC Milan’s loan terms, which included an option to buy the 31-year-old for £32m in the summer.

This is something the Blues’ hierarchy want to avoid, but Sarri has made it clear that he needs another frontman, preferably Higuain, for the club’s fight to finish in the top four as well as major silverware.

AC Milan are already looking for alternative forwards to take his spot in the squad and are considering a move for Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek.

Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea from Marseille for £33.2m in 2016, is not being considered for the role despite his season-long loan at Valencia being cut short.

Everton and Crystal Palace were among a host of clubs interested in his signature, but Monaco have won the race.

The Belgium international has agreed to follow Fabregas and play for Monaco coach Thierry Henry. He will be at the Ligue 1 side until the end of the season, but there is no agreement in place to make the switch permanent